Everything You Think You Know About Singles is Wrong: We Separate Fact From Fiction with the First Comprehensive Study of Singles in America

February 4, 2011

As a leader in the online dating industry, Match understands and serves the American single. And while we ask our members questions, gather feedback, glean insight from their actions on our site and do lots of research, we felt it was time for a more rigorous study that would carefully define exactly who singles are in 2011. Put aside what you used to think and get ready to have a very different view about the single people in your life. They’re not who you think they are.

Myth: Women are needy and clingy in relationships.

Fact: Women need more independence in relationships than men do. In a relationship, women are more likely than men – across every age group – to want their own interest, have personal space, their own bank account, regular nights out with their girlfriends and vacations on their own.

Myth: Guys don’t want to get married and have to be pushed into having kids.

Fact: Men are just as inclined to want to get married as women. In fact, 33% of men and 33% of women said they want to get married. And among singles without children under 18, more men (24%) than women (15%) say they want to have children.

Myth: Older people don’t care about sex.

Fact: Older men and women are less likely to compromise on either love or sexual attractiveness in order to have a committed relationship. In addition, older singles find sex while in a committed relationship more satisfying than other age groups.

Myth: Single parents have no social life.

Fact: Not only do single parents go on more dates than singles without kids but more single parents are currently dating someone (21%) than those without kids (16%).

Myth:Young singles today are promiscuous.

Fact: More people in the 21-34 age group say they have never had sex. To be precise, 24% of men and 23% of women ages 21-34 are virgins.

Myth:I love you implies a serious commitment.

Fact: 31% of singles believe that “I love you” means “I want you in my life” and 30% believe it means “I care about you.” Only 14% think it means “I want to spend the rest of my life with you” and 19% that “I want to have a committed relationship with you.”

Myth: Unemployed means unlucky in love.

Fact: 50% of singles would be open to dating someone unemployed if they found the person interesting.

Myth: Hook-ups never turn into relationships.

Fact: 36% of singles are open to a casual hook-up in the near future; and 54% of singles have had a one-night stand. 35% of singles have had a one-night stand that turned into a long term partnership.

Most of all I’m happy to see that single parents are still getting out there and enjoying their lives. I know quite a few single parents and I know how tough their journey can be. They deserve happiness and love just as much as the rest of us. Good on you, guys.